Ditcher bucket



July 10, 1956 w. T. KERR DITCHER BUCKET 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JNVENTOR.

WA L751? 7.' KERR Filed Dec. 17, 1951 9 WWW &. mN S Qn W ATTOR/VFYS W. T. KERR DITCHEIR BUCKET July 10, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 17, 1951 WAL TEA r KER ATTU RN EYS United States Patent DITCHER BUCKET Walter T. Kerr, Houston, Tex.

Application December 17, 1951, Serial No. 261,980

6 Claims. (Cl. 198141) This invention relates to excavation equipment and more particularly to a clamshell bucket for use on a ladder type ditcher especially adapted for digging deep ditches and trenches.

The conventional diggers or buckets heretofore em- ;ployed with ladder type ditchers have been generally satisfactory in relatively shallow excavation. However, .in the digging of a trench of a comparatively great depth, :as for example from 20 to 50 feet as is required in the construction of cut-off trenches for levees and the like, it has been found desirable to use the slurry method for preventing the walls from caving in and keeping them otherwise intact.

Accordingly, in the construction of a clay core wall, as the ditcher digs in the trench is kept substantially filled with slurry and the clay backfill is effected behind the point of excavation, displacing the slurry as it is emplaced.

Inasmuch as the ditcher buckets are operating under the slurry for a considerable portion of their lift, they must be designed to retain the soil and at the same time to let the slurry drain therefrom. Furthermore, in

order that the effective depth of the trench be maintained,

it is essential that spillage of the load from the buckets be minimized. Carrying out the foregoing, particularly during operation in the type of soil frequently found in levees, including that having a relatively large sand content, has not been possible with ditcher buckets heretofore known.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ditcher bucket particularly adapted for digging deep ditches and for carrying the spoil to dumping position with a minimum of loss.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a ditcher bucket especially adapted for use in digging deep ditches and for moving upward through slurry with the loss of little or no load.

A still further object is the provision of a ditcher bucket adapted to remain closed until it reaches the discharge position and to open automatically upon reaching such position, and which is especially adapted for use under arduous conditions.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a perspective illustrating a series of ditcher buckets constructed in accordance with my invention and mounted on a ditcher ladder;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 2; and Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. '2. Referring to the drawings, a portion of a ditching ladder is shown including sprockets 10, each having a plurality of teeth 11 for driving a pair of spaced chains 12, the sprockets being driven through their shaft 13 by suitable power means, not shown.

5 The chains 12 each consist of alternately arranged ice pairs of outside links 15, 15 pivotally connected at their ends by pins 16 to pairs of spaced inside links 17, 17. The links 15, 15 are spaced to receive the teeth 11 of the sprocket for driving the chains.

Digging buckets 20 are mounted transversely of the chains in spaced relation. Each bucket has a back 21 with an upper flat portion 22 and a curved lower portion 23, the lower portion 23 also providing a bottom for the bucket. The portion 22 preferably extends for approximately one-third the length of the bucket, although this may be varied if desired. Attached to or integral with the back wall 21 are side walls 24, each of which has a leading edge 25, a front edge 26 and a back edge 27, the latter of which is curved at its lower portion to conform to the contour of the back wall 21. Both the back and the side walls are provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 28 which permit liquidto drain from the bucket as it is being raised. The leading edge 29 of the back 21, and edge 25 of the side 24, may be provided with a plurality of rooter teeth 30.

In order to close the bucket, a front wall is provided consisting of closure members or panels 31, 32 and 33, disposed transversely of the bucket. The panel 31 preferably has spaced apertures 28 and is permanently attached to the uppermost position of the front face of the bucket, so that its upper edge 34 forms a rectangle with the edges 25 of the side Walls 24, and the edge 29 of the back member 21, the panel extending approximately one-third the length of the bucket The panel 31 is mounted on the chain 12 by lugs 35 which are attached at each side of the panel and extend into the space between a pair of inside links 17, 17 to which they are connected. The panel 32, which comprises the middle portion of the front wall of the bucket, is substantially rectangular in configuration and is mounted on the inner links 15 of the outside links 15 and 15 by lugs 36, one being provided at each end of the panel. The lower panel 33 is similarly of rectangular configuration and is attached to the inner links 17 of the inside links by a lug 37, one being provided at each end of the panel.

With the arrangement shown in which three panel members are employed for the front wall of the bucket, it' is apparent that in order to mount the maximum number of buckets on the chains, an upper panel 31 of a bucket is mounted on a lug 35 on every third pair of inside links 17, 17 Similarly, the next succeeding pair of outside links 15, 15 mount a panel 32, and the next succeeding pair of inside links 17, 17 mount a panel 33. In this manner the open end of each bucket is spaced from the trailing end of the bucket next preceding it in the line by a pair of outside links 15, 15

The lugs 35, 36 and 37 mounting the panels 31, 32 and 33, respectively, are of such height that the panels form a substantially continuous front wall for the bucket when the bucket moves either up or down the line, the panels being of such configuration and dimension that their adjoining edges are substantially abutting.

In the operation of the device, the bucket line is moved into the earth by a ladder, the buckets picking up a load and carrying it to the top of the ladder, at which position the load is dumped onto a conveyor, not shown, for moving it away from the trench.

In the position illustrated, the buckets normally move in a counterclockwise direction, bucket A being shown approaching the top of the ladder, bucket B being shown in the dumping position, and bucket C being shown beginning its return toward the bottom of the ladder. Bucket A is closed by the panels which are in substantially the same plane along the face of the bucket. The panels which comprise the 'front wall of the bucketremain in such co-planar position as long as the links of the chain The curvature of the back wall facilitates such discharge and does not leave any pockets from which the material cannot easily flow. Theapertures similarly aid flow from the bucket by admitting air behind the discharging material, thus preventing its retention by suction.

Inasmuch as the bucket of my invention is rigidly attached to the chain of the ladder and without the use of extra link members and the like, it is particularly sturdy and hence adapted for use under particularly rugged conditions such as those encountered in the digging. of deep trenches.

Accordingly, it is. apparent that my invention includes the provision of a novel ditcher bucket for a ladder type ditcher, in which the bucket has rigidly connected back and side walls rigidly attached to the upper portion of a front wall, such portion being rigidly attached transversely of and to opposed parallel links of a chain, and in which one or more front closure members are attached to the next succeeding opposed parallel links of the chain for closing the remainder of the front of the bucket. The closure members are adapted to lie in substantially the same plane except when the chain passes over an end roller or sprocket, the back, side and upper front wall portions of the bucket being displaced from the lower one or more front wall members as the bucket passes around the upper roller or sprocket member for discharging its contents.

While I have described and shown a particular construction, it is apparent that my invention is not so limited but includes all reasonable equivalents and variations therefrom.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new and wish to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A bucket line for a ditcher comprising spaced parallel endless conveyor chains passing around terminal sprocket means effecting opposite parallel directional changes in the course of movement of the chains, each 'of the chains having alternately arranged pairs of outside links pivotally connected at their ends to inside links,

digging buckets mounted at spaced intervals on the chains transversely thereof and oft-set outwardly therefrom, each of the buckets having a back wall, side walls, and a multiple-sectional planar front wall closed by a plurality of flat closure plates, one of which is a fixed closure plate defining an upper fiat wall section permanently secured to the side walls of the buckets, a pair of opposed mounting lugs permanently secured to the said fixed plate, the said lugs being mounted on and projecting outwardly from opposite links of the chains intermediate the pivoted ends of the links and forming portions of the said links, additional mounting lugs mounted on and projecting outwardly from opposed links of the chains also between the pivoted ends of the links and forming portions of the opposed links, the lugs being in pairs of which one lug is opposite to the other lug, additional flat closure plates for the front wall of the bucket permanently mounted on each pair of lugs and making separable engagement with each other and with the side walls of the bucket as well as with the upper front wall section,

the said additional separable plates completing a continuous fiat closure for the front wall of the bucket between digging and discharging positions for the bucket while being separated from the bucket responsively to the bucket reaching discharging position for opening the bucket to discharge the contents thereof.

2. Thev construction defined in claim 1 including sprocket means for the chains adjacent to the discharge position ofthe buckets for separating the separable front closure. platesfrom each; other and from the buck s. as

the latter change direction of travel around the sprocket means at the discharging position for opening the buckets to discharge the same, the; said front closure plates returning automatically to closing position for the buckets responsively to completion of travel of each bucket and chain around the sprocket means and into parallel but opposite direction of travel.

3. The construction defined in claim 2 wherein the permanently mountedv front closure plate, the side walls and back wall of the buckets are provided with aligned drainage and vent holes for permitting draining of any liquids associated with a solid load in the buckets while venting air into the buckets during discharge of the solid load for facilitating discharge thereof.

4. A bucket line for a ditcher, comprising spaced parallel conveyor chains passing around terminal sprocket means located at digging and discharging stations, respectively, the terminal sprocket means effecting opposite directional changes in the course of movement of the chains, each of the chains being composed of spaced double links defining sides of the chains, the double links of each chainbeing alternate pairs of outside parallel links pivotally connected at their ends to pairs of spaced parallel inside links, a plurality of mounting lugs integrally rigidly mounted to successive double links of each chain and on corresponding opposite links of the spaced parallel chains, the lugs being rigidly attached to the links intermediate the pivotal end connections between successive links, a plurality of separate cross-plates rigidly attached to successive lugs and extending transversely across the parallel chains, each plurality of crossplates including a top cross-plate, an intermediate cross plate, and a bottom cross-plate, the cross-plates cooperating throughout straight portions of courses of travel of the chains to form a front Wall of a digging bucket of a. series of buckets carried by the chains, each bucket having a curved back wall, side walls rigidly joined to the back wall and forming a bottom therewith, and a continuous multiple-section planar front wall composed of the said plurality of cross-plates, the side walls of each bucket being rigidly integral with the top crossplate, the remaining cross-plates of the plurality thereof completing the multiple section front wall and normally closely interfitting with each other and with the side walls of the bucket and also with the said rigidly integral top cross-plate, the said cross-plates coacting to define a substantially planar front wall closure for each bucket during straight portions of the courses of travel of the chains, the said cross-plates other than the top plate thereof being separable from each other and from the side walls of each bucket responsively to directional changes in the course of movement of the chains around the terminal sprocket means at the discharge station as the bucket reaches the discharge station, thereby successively opening the buckets for discharge thereof, completion of directional changes in the course of movement of the conveyor chains around the terminal sprocket means urging the said cross-plates into closing engagement with each other and with their bucket responsively to each bucket passing through a position relative to the sprocket means which is substantially diametrically opposite to the discharge station for the buckets.

5. A bucket line for a ditcher, comprising a drive chain having alternately arranged pairs of parallel outside links pivotally connected at each end to pairs of spaced parallel inside links, spaced digging buckets mounted on the drive chain transversely thereof, each bucket having a curved back wall, side walls attached to the back wall, and a flat, multiple-section front wall composed of a plurality of normally closely engaging independent planar plates extending across the side walls of the bucket, one

the side walls at upper portions thereof and opposite r lati e wraps: p ti n at h ba k a t, a fi stlu integrally attached to a pair of inside links intermediate the ends thereof and also permanently attached to the upper plate of the front wall, the said upper plate of the front wall being integral with the first lug and extending transversely of the chain, remaining sections of the front wall being similar cooperating flat panel plates normally closely interfitting with each other and with the upper plate and with the side walls of each bucket for defining the said continuous planar multiple-section front Wall for each bucket, the plates constituting the said remain ing sections defining intermediate and lower sections of the front wall, each of which sections is mounted on successive lugs extending from successive links of the chain intermediate the ends of each link, each lug being a portion of the link from which it extends, the said intermediate and lower sections of the front wall being separable from the side walls of each bucket and from the fixed upper section of the said front wall responsively to a change of direction of movement of the chain through a discharging station for the buckets, thereby opening the buckets for discharge thereof, the separable portions of the front wall returning to closing planar position responsively to completion of movement of the conveyor chain through the discharging station.

6. A bucket line for a ditcher, comprising spaced parallel drive chains each having alternately arranged pairs of outside parallel links pivotally connected at their ends to pairs of spaced parallel inside links, digging buckets mounted at spaced intervals on the drive chains transversely thereof, each bucket having a back wall including a flat upper portion and a curved lower portion, and a continuously flat, multiple-section front wall, the front wall having a flat upper plate section permanently attached to the side Walls at upper portions thereof and opposite to the flat upper portion of the back wall and extending approximately one-third the length of the bucket, a first lug integral with and extending between each of a pair of opposed inside links of the chains and intermediate the ends of the links, the upper plate section of the front wall being permanently and rigidly 40 mounted on the said first lug and attached thereto and permanently and rigidly attached to the side walls of the bucket, there being a first lug at each end of the upper section of the front wall, the front wall also having a middle flat plate section and a lower flat plate section, a second lug extending from the inner surfaces of each pair of the outside links next adjacent to the inside links carrying the first lug, the middle section of the front wall being a flat plate mounted transversely of the chains and permanently attached at its ends to the second lug, the said second lug being attached to its links intermediate the ends of the links and forming a part thereof, and a third lug extending from the inner surface of each of the inside links next adjacent to the outside links carrying the second lug and permanently attached to its inside links intermediate the ends of the said inside links, the lower section of the front wall of the bucket also being a fiat plate mounted transversely of the conveyor chains and attached to the said third lug which also is attached permanently and rigidly to each end of the lower wall section, the middle and lower Wall sections being separable from each other and from the rigidly attached upper wall section as well as being separable from the side walls of the bucket responsively to directional change in movement of the chains around a terminal sprocket adjacent to a discharge station for the buckets, thereby opening the buckets for discharge thereof at the discharge station, the front wall sections automatically resuming their fiat closing position relative to each other and to the side walls of the buckets responsively to completion of the directional change in movement of the chains around the said terminal sprocket after completion of discharge of the bucket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 117,109 Platt July 18, 1871 355,488 Urie Jan. 4, 1887 1,194,963 Currier Aug. 15, 1916 1,896,711 Lichtenberg Feb. 7, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS 977,583 France Nov. 15, 1950 37,823 Norway Sept. 3, 1953 

